PennLive will reveal its 2023 season all-stars and honors for softball and other spring sports next week.
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But with the dust now settled on this year’s postseason, it’s the right time to recognize which Mid-Penn players made the biggest impact in the playoffs for their teams.
With one state champion, three semifinalists and plenty more who vied for contention, there were plenty to choose from. But here’s a rundown of our Postseason MVP, as well ten other players that made a massive impact the last month plus.
Postseason MVP
Sammy Magee, Northern
Class: Sophomore
Position: Pitcher
Buzz: There were plenty of great performers in the postseason as you’ll see below, and plenty to choose from even just on the state champion Polar Bears. But this pick was a layup, as Magee went from a strong-hitting first baseman and spot starter to perhaps the best pitcher in the state in the 5A classification. Magee allowed six runs all postseason against top competition like Mechanicsburg, Solanco and Shaler among others, and capping the run off by scoring the state-title winning run on Sabrina Paulin’s walk-off hit. Magee’s transformation into true top-line ace seemingly out of nowhere was as big a reason as any that state championship gold resides in Dillsburg.
All-Postseason Team
Meadow Gambacurta, Greencastle-Antrim
Class: Sophomore
Position: Shortstop
Buzz: There might not be a better all-around shortstop in the District than the Blue Devil sophomore, who helped Greencastle-Antrim capture Mid-Penn gold and a state playoff berth with an ultra-reliable glove and as consistent game-to-game production as you’ll find.
Stella Gasper, Central Dauphin
Class: Sophomore
Position: Pitcher/Second Base
Buzz: The season didn’t end the way Gasper or the Rams would’ve liked. But it only had a chance to get there because of Gasper’s heroics in Central Dauphin’s opening-round contest, as the sophomore tossed a no-hitter to top Dallastown in a 1-0 game. CD would eventually take second in the District before falling to Downingtown East in stats.
Zoe Holbert, East Pennsboro
Class: Senior
Position: Shortstop
Buzz: If you asked Holbert, she’d probably say she didn’t quite have the offensive regular season she was looking for. But the Panther senior made up for it in the postseason, most notably racking a 6-RBI performance in a District 3 semifinal win over East Pennsboro. Her glove was also as reliable as they come, backing up pitcher Jackie Capers consistently.
Hailey Irwin, Northern
Class: Senior
Position: Outfield
Buzz: If Magee was Northern’s catalyst, Irwin wasn’t close behind. While her biggest game at the plate in the playoffs might have been her two-homer day against Hatboro-Horsham in the state playoff opener, perhaps her biggest moment came in the state title game, when she gunned out a runner at home on a sac fly attempt in extras to keep the game scoreless.
Sydney May, Cumberland Valley
Class: Sophomore
Position: Pitcher
Buzz: Taking over No. 1 pitcher duties midway through the year, May did it all for the Eagles. Her tor-de-force showing came in the District 3 title game against Central Dauphin, when she tamed a terrific lineup to bring home the Eagles’ first D3 gold since 2014. But she also showed mettle settling down in a big state quarterfinal game against Haverford, reigning in after a rough first inning to deal, as well as holding down the fort late in a state opener win over Garnet Valley.
Kylee Miller, Chambersburg
Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Buzz: Miller was tremendous all postseason. But it’s hard to not put her as the No. 2 on this list for one game alone. Her performance in the 6A state semifinal against North Penn, despite falling 1-0, was as gutsy as any in the conference this year, as the Trojan ace went toe-to-toe with Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year Julia Shearer.
Emma Morgan, Cumberland Valley
Class: Junior
Position: Second baseman
Buzz: The Eagles won games in numerous ways this postseason, sometimes with pitching, sometimes with defense and sometimes with baserunning. But Morgan provided power consistently in a way every team that makes district and state playoff runs need. Her five RBIs against Haverford were a highlight.
Sam Paetow, Chambersburg
Class: Junior
Position: Catcher
Buzz: Paetow might still be stewing about a controversial play at the end of Chambersburg’s state semifinal against North Penn where the catcher appeared to clearly tag out a runner on a sac fly attempt only to see her ruled safe. But the Trojans and their junior star can’t lose sight of what a huge postseason it was for her, as well as her sister Bree. Paetow’s biggest contest came against Nazareth when she went a perfect 4-for-4 in the state quarters.
Sam Rybacki, Mechanicsburg
Class: Junior
Position: Pitcher/Outfield
Buzz: Rybacki is a cool customer both at the plate and on the mound, and her emergence on the latter was massive in Mechanicsburg’s run to its first state playoff berth. She acquitted herself more than well in the Wildcats’ District 3 title game loss to eventual state champs Northern, while also putting together an impressive showing against a good Greencastle squad, all while providing pop with the bat.
Molly Whitmyer, Trinity
Class: Senior
Position: Catcher
Buzz: While always steady behind the plate, it took longer than anticipated for the Lock Haven commit’s bat to get going this spring. But when it did, she started launching balls like she did at the end of 2022, and her power surge was crucial in helping the No. 5 seed ‘Rocks take third in District 3 and earn their first state playoff berth.
Check back on PennLive starting next Monday as we begin to reveal our end-of-year awards for the 2023 softball season, including All-Freshman team, All-Under-the-Radar team, All-Star teams and Player of the Year.